Committed citizens can change the world

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” These words by Margaret Mead are familiar. These words are often emblazoned on posters. These words are used to inspire people to commit to a cause. These words are so familiar that, at times, they lose their power.

But the words are true.

Change comes when people decide that change needs to come. History shows us that committed people who believe in a cause can bring tremendous change.

Fifteen years ago, a group of friends came together in Novi. These friends decided that it was important to try to identify how to connect students and families from Novi with students and families in Detroit. The effort started small. A sister school relationship between Novi Meadows and a school in Detroit formed. Over time, the relationship broadened and expanded. Now, 15 years, hundreds of volunteer hours and many relationships later, the connection between Novi and Detroit continues.

Bridgepointe, a nonprofit organization, was created to manage the resources that were donated to support the sister schools in Detroit. Students and staff from the Novi Community School District continue to be involved in developing and enriching the relationship.

The Novi Community School District is committed to the idea of social justice. Social justice, as we have defined it, focuses on ensuring that everyone has a voice and that everyone can be heard. Bridgepointe supports this vision of social justice by trying to leverage some of the advantages that we have in Novi to support students and schools that may not have as many advantages.

In Novi, we are blessed with a stable and supportive community. We have excellent school facilities and resources that support learning. Bridgepointe is trying to ensure that students who live in less stable communities and who, at times, have fewer resources are not forgotten. Bridgepointe is trying to ensure that the voices of students in all communities have a chance to be heard.

One of the ways that Bridgepointe does this is by collecting money to buy resources to share with a sister school in Detroit. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the Novi Community School district is asking students and staff in our schools to wear Detroit apparel and donate $1 to support Bridgepointe. Donations will be taken at the schools and then donated to Bridgepointe.

Committed people can and do create change in the world. In a world that at times seems so big and that has so many problems, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But committed people identify opportunities to create change. On Tuesday, Nov. 24, students and staff in our district have the chance to work together to create positive change and to enhance the relationship between Novi and Detroit.

Steve M. Matthews, Ed.D., is superintendent of the Novi Community School District. He can be reached at smatthews@novischools.net.